Wellness is now one of the biggest and fastest growing sub-sectors of the hospitality industry. Even before Covid-19, the wellness industry was valued at an estimated USD4.5 trillion, and since 2020, people are more mindful of caring for themselves in ways perhaps taken for granted in the past. These days, guests are looking to prioritise physical and mental health, as well as innovative and interesting ways in which they can improve their health on holiday.

As hotel stays provide escape and relaxation, the rest of body and mind, it makes sense that health and wellbeing is now a priority when it comes to hotel architecture and interior design. So, how exactly can design promote the health and wellbeing of guests?

Lobby

The traditional hotel lobby, with its reception desk, high ceilings and grand staircase, is being phased out in favor of more aesthetically pleasing spaces and tranquil settings. These set the tone for the overall hotel experience and often also represent the locale of the hotel. Beyond the importance of first impressions, lobby spaces are now expected to be multi-functional, with the inclusion of cafes or bars right at the hotel’s entrance, presenting new revenue opportunities.

Guests, particularly Millennial guests, now spend less time in their rooms and more time exploring the hotel. The word “spend” is emphasised here, as this exploration often includes making additional purchases at hotel cafes, restaurants, bars, spas, or elsewhere. Hotel design should reflect this demand and hotels can capitalise on the trend by offering a diversity of places for guests to enjoy.

Think of the open-plan Lobby Lounge at Bangkok’s Sindhorn Kempinski. This space ticks off a number of current trends, including bringing the outside in through floor-to-ceiling windows, abundant natural light, an inviting social lounge that attracts locals as well as guests (afternoon tea in the day, then cocktails by evening), as well as seamless hybrid spaces for check-in and F&B. The nod to the locale couldn’t be more perfect, as the leafy decor emulates the oasis of Lumpini Park, the setting for this five-star property.

Sensory experiences

Lighting is having a lightbulb moment when it comes to hotel design. Having spent much of the past two years isolated indoors, people are more aware than ever of the power of sunlight, which provides much-needed Vitamin D and helps regulate circadian rhythms.

The regulation provided by natural light can combat issues such as jet lag and insomnia – with the latter becoming an epidemic within the pandemic. Sleep is a major trend in the hospitality industry right now. Our internal, light-timed circadian rhythms control mood, immunity and metabolism, among other internal systems, making this design element key when it comes to wellbeing.

However, sight is not the only sense being considered. For a truly holistic wellness concept, hotels are ticking off all the senses.

Sound baths have become an on-trend fixture when it comes to wellness treatments, the quality of bedding – particularly the use of natural fibers – are paramount, while aromatherapy addresses the sense of smell and increasingly health- and environmentally-conscious F&B concepts tackle the sense of taste.

Communal spaces

When you think of wellness-inspired design, you may think empty, minimalist decor and hushed voices. However, socialisation is also key to creating a positive atmosphere. Hybrid spaces were already on-trend pre-pandemic, and as Covid-19 has blurred the lines between work and home, hotels are being reinterpreted into flexible spaces where people can relax, work, and also meet like-minded individuals.

Loneliness is another global epidemic in itself, exacerbated by the isolation of the pandemic and the rise of technology replacing in-person interactions. Wellness travel is also about bringing people together through activities and workshops. For example, farm-to-table cooking classes allow guests to mingle, but also connect guests to the local community via suppliers and homegrown produce.

Capella’s new sister brand, Patina, is the embodiment of this newfound community demand, conceptualised around the growing digital nomad trend: “Transitions between work, play, exercise, and wellbeing are seamless. Sanctuary and stimulation live in harmony.”

In contrast to the privacy and exclusivity afforded by Capella properties, the new Patina Maldives, Fari Island, provides limitless opportunities for connectivity with both the environment and other guests. There’s a permaculture garden where guests are encouraged to forage, participative workshops such as group drumming sessions, and even a 3D printing lab where kids can learn about repurposing plastic waste from the ocean, which echoes the eco-minded techniques used to construct the resort’s villas.

Biophilic design

Other lines being blurred are those between inside and outside; bringing the outdoors in, opening spaces out into nature and injecting greenery into hotel design that emulates values relating to sustainability. Interface and Terrapin Bright Green’s 2017 Human Spaces Report revealed that guests spend 36% more time in hotel lobbies with biophilic design elements than traditional lobby spaces.

Soneva is a wellness-minded brand that does biophilic design very well. Soneva Kiri on Thailand’s Koh Kood is an eco-friendly resort set in tropical rainforest, and certainly takes its lead from the environment. The resort’s bamboo dining pods are hoisted up to the treetops and waiters bring over food and drink via zipline.

Wellness-inspired design

Infusing wellness into hotel concepts is a great way to create an overall holistic experience for guests. No longer is health and wellbeing an experience confined to the hotel spa, but a core value considered throughout every aspect of hotel design.

Spring is fast approaching and with it comes International Women’s Day, which has become a more prominent fixture on the marketing calendar in recent years. Much like Earth Day or World Mental Health Day, IWD is now acknowledged across many industries, including hospitality. These types of “holidays” are an opportunity for brands to reinforce values such as sustainability, gender equality and commitment to mental wellness – and share those values with the world.

However, there is a fine line between using International Women’s Day as a marketing ploy and fully embracing what it stands for. Here, we explore the core principles of IWD, its history, and how this relates to the hospitality industry.

What is International Women’s Day?

International Women’s Day, held annually on the 8th March, celebrates the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, and also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.

The history of International Women’s Day

IWD has been marked for over a century, with the first event held in March 1911 in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland, where over a million people participated in rallies campaigning for women’s rights. Today, IWD is recognised all over the world and is not specific to any nation, group, nor organisation, though there is an IWD website. The theme for 2021 was #ChooseToChallenge and the theme for 2022 is #BreakTheBias.

March is also recognised as Women’s History Month in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, as well as other places.

Recognising IWD in hospitality

The hospitality industry has embraced IWD and Women’s History Month, but there is some debate as to whether this recognition has sometimes been a little shallow. Brands may organise a marketing campaign or IWD offer that “celebrates women” (think pink-themed afternoon teas or spa vouchers), however these play to stereotypes and miss the mark when it comes to understanding exactly what IWD is about.

Without calling out any brands in particular, there certainly seems to be more emphasis on recognising IWD externally rather than internally; celebrating femininity, rather than addressing issues of inequality; highlighting positive examples of women in the business, rather than exploring the obstacles they may have faced to rise through the ranks, or existing gender imbalances at the top.

Gender imbalance in the hospitality industry

It’s estimated that around 70% of the hospitality workforce is female, yet only 25% of hospitality leadership positions are occupied by women, according to the Women in Hospitality, Travel and Leisure 2020 Report. Women hotel general managers are particularly rare.There are also issues further down the hierarchy.

Work roles that have been historically filled by women tend to be undervalued and underpaid. Think about aged care, child care, nursing, teaching, waiting, administration, cleaning, and many hospitality roles, to name but a few. Plus, there’s the estimated 12.5 billion hours of unpaid work (child care, cleaning the house, cooking etc.) that women do at home, regardless of whether they work or not.

How can hospitality celebrate IWD in a meaningful way?

Hospitality tends to focus on celebrating the achievements of women on IWD by highlighting the few success stories of women in leadership positions. To truly embody what IWD is about, the hospitality industry must also pay dues on the second part: calls to action for accelerating women’s equality. Emphasis on the action.

Here are 10 questions a hospitality business can ask this IWD:

1. What is the gender balance of staff?
2. How many senior positions are held by women?
3. What is the average wage for a female vs male employee?
4. What is the average wage for a female vs male employee in the same role?
5. Historically, have women been offered as many promotions as men?
6. Who do we do business with; how many of our suppliers and distributors are women-led businesses?
7. Does the company have robust maternal and paternal leave programs?
8. Have any issues relating to gender, such as discrimination or sexual harassment, ever occured in the workplace. If so, how were they dealt with and what were the outcomes?
9. Do female staff feel they are treated the same as their male peers?
10. Do female staff have any suggestions for how the work environment could be improved?

An audit on staff data and interviews with employees are certain to bring about learning opportunities.

What’s more, this data can be shared as part of a meaningful IWD campaign. Some businesses may be afraid of revealing gender imbalances behind the scenes because it does not reflect the company’s values when it comes to gender inequality. However, the opposite is true. It’s a known fact that “transparency in business bolsters brand reputation, attracts and retains employees and impresses investors, so the benefits go far beyond simply being honest or doing what is morally right.

International Women’s Day and hospitality

As the pandemic has adversely affected many industries where women make up the majority of the workforce – travel, hospitality, F&B – now is the best time to reflect and take action, so that improvements can be made for post-Covid recovery. This IWD, consider what actionable steps you can take to not only to celebrate women, but also aid in the fight against inequality.

Psychedelic retreats are on the rise, offering guests life-changing transformations, from healing to clarity to self-exploration, through psychedelic experiences.

This newfound popularity is partly credited to the book How to Change Your Mind by Michael Pollan, which explores new research into psychedelics and their medicinal properties. Many psychedelic retreat attendees attribute the book’s influence to their decision to book a retreat.

Here, we’ll explore four of the most popular psychedelics used at psychedelic retreats in various parts of the world, acknowledge the dangers of psychedelic usage, and discuss how this new phenomenon fits into the wellness industry.

Ayahuasca

Ayahuasca is a pan-Amazonian psychoactive brew made from ayahuasca and chacruna plants. Traditionally, it was used as a ceremonial spiritual medicine by indigenous peoples of the Amazon basin. When consumed in tea form, ayahuasca alters consciousness and can cause hallucinations.

Today, it’s used at psychedelic retreats in Central and South America, particularly Costa Rica, though ayahuasca ceremonies have recently started popping up in the United States and Europe.

Ayahuasca is said to activate repressed memories, help process traumatic events, and allow imbibers to come to a new understanding of their past – neuroscientists are studying ayahuasca as a treatment for depression and PTSD.

Soltara Healing Center in the Gulf of Nicoya, Costa Rica, is a psychedelic plant medicine retreat that offers experiences with ayahuasca, which are focused around emotional, energetic and spiritual healing. These experiences are rooted in the indigenous cosmology and tradition of the Shipibo and guests work one-on-one with Shipibo master healers during the ayahuasca ceremonies. Other activities integrated into the stay include yoga, journaling, nature immersion and community events. Trauma expert Gabor Mate and psychedelic research pioneer Dennis McKenna are both associated with the retreat.

Ibogaine

Ibogaine is a natural psychoactive substance found within plants of the Apocynaceae family, native to Central Africa and the Amazon, which has psychedelic and dissociative properties. It is used as an alternative medicine treatment for drug addiction, as well as a means of facilitating psychological introspection.

The Pygmy and Bwiti tribes of Central Africa were the first peoples to discover the psychoactivity of the root bark of the iboga tree. When French explorers were introduced to ibogaine at the turn of the 20th century, they brought it back to Europe and marketed the substance as a stimulant called Lambarène.

Most psychedelic retreats offering use of ibogaine are located in Mexico, where the sacramental use of psychedelics is legal. Cancún’s Clear Sky Recovery is a residential facility that specializes in ibogaine-assisted drug detox. This clinical approach to psychedelic retreats is provided by Dr. Alberto Sola, who was trained by ibogaine research pioneer Deborah Mash.

Treatments are tailored to patients and monitored by medical doctors, clinical psychologists and registered nurses. The stay includes diagnostic pretreatment protocols, a flood dose of ibogaine hydrochloride that interrupts opioid withdrawal symptoms, followed by processing and integration work, as well as post-treatment aftercare.

Psilocybin

Better known as “magic mushrooms,” psilocybin is a natural psychedelic prodrug compound found in more than 200 species of fungi, which has mind-altering effects similar to those of LSD. Consumers can experience euphoria, a distorted sense of time, changes in perception, visual and mental hallucinations, as well as spiritual awakenings.

The human usage of psilocybin predates recorded history, as evidenced in prehistoric murals found in modern-day Spain and Algeria that depict the ingestion and effects of psilocybin. Restrictive drug laws introduced in the late 1960s curbed scientific research into psilocybin and other hallucinogens, but its popularity continued to grow, largely because the mushrooms are so easy to cultivate.

Silo Wellness is a well-known chain of psychedelic retreats that deals in psilocybin. Founded in Oregon, the brand has expanded to Canada and Jamaica. At Silo Wellness’ Jamaica’s Montego Bay resort, participants take psilocybin mushrooms at nightly ceremonies led by local Rastafarians. Silo Wellness also has a multi-year licensing agreement with the family of Bob Marley to brand, market and sell psychedelic mushrooms using the name Marley One.

In the Netherlands, psychedelic mushrooms are illegal but a legal loophole has kept psychedelic truffles above board. Synthesis, located a half-hour outside of Amsterdam, offers three- to five-day residential retreats for psychedelic therapy, which involve “magic truffle” ceremonies.

Ketamine

Ketamine is a generic medication that induces dissociative anesthesia, a trance-like state that provides pain relief, sedation and amnesia. As it preserves airways and breathing, as well stimulated heart function, it was extensively used for surgical anaesthesia in the Vietnam War.

At lower doses, ketamine can help treat pain and treatment-resistant depression, and is also used as a recreational drug. Nicknamed “Special K,” ketamine’s hallucinogenic and dissociative effects can be experienced from both its powder and liquid forms.

There are multiple treatments centers throughout the United States that offer ketamine-assisted therapy for healing from trauma and treatment of depression,

Dangers of psychedelics

Although the wellness industry has been embracing the newfound demand for psychedelic retreats, it should be duly noted that there are severe dangers associated with these substances.

Firstly, psychedelics can cause psychosis or long-term mental health issues, particularly in patients with a predisposition to mental illness. This can be a tricky balance for those with existing mental health issues who are looking to psychedelics as a treatment or solution. There have been cases where attendees of psychedelic retreats have had bad reactions, resulting in suicide and homicide.

What’s more, psychedelics can put participants in very vulnerable states. There have been reports of women being molested by shamans during their psychedelic experiences.

Psychedelic tourism and the wellness industry

As with the rise of cannabis tourism, it’s somewhat unsurprising that a global pandemic has shifted people’s perceptions of what is medicinal and what is recreational. People are seeking healing and meaning at a time of turbulence, and the wellness industry is well-poised to provide for that.

However, unlike other wellness trends of the moment that are blurring lines between the clinical and the holistic, psychedelics pose severe risks and must be treated with caution. Those managing and attending psychedelic retreats must do their research, screen guests thoroughly and work with experts in order to provide the safe transformative experiences that psychedelic tourists seek.

It was only in 2008 that pseudonymous Bitcoin founder Satoshi Nakamoto devised the first blockchain database, authored his white paper and kickstarted the entire cryptocurrency revolution. Only 14 years later, crypto is on an ever-evolving rollercoaster ride,both heralded as the future of the economy and condemned as a volatile, unregulated “bubble” soon to burst.

So, what exactly is cryptocurrency, why is it so controversial and how can it be used within the hospitality industry?

What is blockchain?

For those new to the terminology, to understand crypto, you must first understand blockchain. Blockchain is, as the name suggests, a chain of blocks – it’s a safe way of storing digital data. Once data has been recorded inside a blockchain, it becomes very difficult to change it.

Each block contains some data, the hash of the block (likened to a fingerprint – a unique code that identifies the individual block) and the hash of the previous block. The fact it also contains the hash of the previous block creates the chain, as all the blocks are linked together. This is one reason why blockchain is so secure. To change one block, you must change all the following blocks.

What’s more, there is no one central entity where blockchains are stored; blockchains use peer-to-peer networks. When someone joins the network, they get a copy of the blockchain. Each time a new block is added, there must be consensus from the whole network that the block has not been tampered with.

Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies work using this blockchain technology and the data of a transaction is stored in a block. However, there are other ways to use this technology, such as storing medical records, notarizing documents and even collecting taxes.

Blockchain technology and hospitality

In terms of hospitality, blockchain technology is already being used to streamline processes and make them more secure. The most obvious is crypto payments, which are rising in popularity, especially in the past few years, with some even saying that cryptocurrencies will eventually erase fiat currency (government regulated money, such as GBP or USD) altogether.

Presently, credit card and bank transfers make up the largest proportion of payment transactions, but they can be delayed by up to five days. Crypto transactions take place on one secure network, remove complexity and delays, and negate issues such as overdraft or foreign transaction fees

Furthermore, cryptocurrencies are increasing in value at an exponential rate. If a hotel had taken a 1 Bitcoin booking in January 2017 (valued around USD900), that Bitcoin would be worth over USD47,000 today.

Hotel brands embracing crypto payments

Hotel brands are taking note, with many setting up crypto payment methods in the last year. The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts are partnered with London-based global crypto-payment gateway Coindirect and have been accepting 42 virtual currencies as payments at all of their properties since July 2021.

As of October 2021, The Maldives’ S Hotels & Resorts has been collaborating with trading platform FTX to allow guests to pay for stays using virtual currencies – making their two Maldivian properties the first in the archipelago to do so.

Here in Thailand, Sri Panwa Phuket and its sister properties Baba Beach Club Hua Hin and Baba Beach Club Natai have been accepting Bitcoin, Ethereum, USDT and USDC as payment since 15th September 2021.

Other uses for blockchain technology within hospitality

There are other benefits of blockchain beyond payment. Cryptocurrencies can identify guests with only a fingerprint, while smart contracts between distributors and hotels can track dynamic changes in pricing in an automatic, transparent and secure way.

Some businesses are even using cryptocurrencies to solve staffing problems. In the UK, where there is a severe shortage of staff in the hospitality industry thanks to Covid-19 and Brexit, pub owner Peter Gilbert of The Potters Arms in Amersham has been paying staff a monthly bonus in Koda. Similar to how big corporations provide employees with stocks and shares options, crypto allows small businesses to offer comparable initiatives.

“[Staff] are seeing that money increase every month, and it is giving them an education in crypto to help them in the future,” says Gilbert, who credits crypto bonuses with increased staff retention, attendance and keeping staff engaged.

There are also specially-designed cryptocurrencies already in operation within the travel industry. LockTrip is a cryptocurrency that offers a zero-commission marketplace for direct hotel bookings, eliminating the need for OTAs. There are other blockchain-based currencies created for loyalty programs, which can be used by multiple merchants to offer points and rewards.

Taking things to a whole other level, the founder of UNYCU Hotels, Johannes Fritz Groebler, launched The Crypto Hotel in spring 2021. The hotel is 100% powered by the Ethereum Blockchain, and holds the title of the world’s first NFT (non-fungible tokens, a type of certificate of ownership) hotel. Digital areas of the hotel can be bought and sold by hotel “guests.” While everyone can see The Crypto Hotel, only the buyer has official ownership rights to the objects – a concept that is described as collecting digital artwork.

Drawbacks of cryptocurrencies

However, it’s important to note that blockchain has its disadvantages. Cryptocurrencies are volatile and can change value very quickly. Just as they are rising at an incredible pace, they could just as easily lose that value.

Like anything digital, cryptocurrency can be vulnerable to cyber attacks and scammers, who often use social media to lure people into unsafe investments. Cryptocurrencies are unregulated, so there are no rules in place to protect your wallet and if you lose money, there’s no company you can use to claim.

This has led to tightened restrictions on cryptocurrency this past year in countries like the United States, including outright bans in China, with more global cryptocurrency crackdowns expected in 2022.

Is crypto the future of hospitality?

Although crypto is controversial and has its drawbacks, there are many advantages that blockchain has for hospitality. In an era of uncertainty, industries must be flexible to new ideas and embrace concepts as they grow in popularity, in order to reach the most amount of people.

How the hospitality landscape looked pre-pandemic is not how it will emerge in the endemic period to follow. The most important thing businesses can do is to focus on education when it comes to blockchain and technology in general – be open to new ideas, prioritize safety and stay ahead of the curve.

As providers of overnight accommodation, sleep has always been a priority for hotels. However, with rising rates of insomnia and more research available on the importance of sleep (and quality of sleep), hotels are upping their game when it comes to getting a good night’s rest.

Quality sleep is also emerging as a key pillar of wellness in the hospitality industry. Rather than considered as a separate service to wellness treatments, sleep is being incorporated as part of a holistic wellness experience, especially at luxury hotels.

Pandemic-induced insomnia

Sleep was already on the wellness agenda pre-pandemic, with hotel brands partnering with meditation and sleep apps, such as Calm and Headspace, which aim to help users wind down, ready to rest. However, Covid-19 has truly accelerated that trend.

According to Science Daily, the number of online searches for “insomnia” significantly increased at the height of the pandemic. Insomnia is a common symptom of suffering mental health and mental wellbeing, but can also cause mental health issues such as anxiety and depression (creating a vicious cycle), as well as physical health problems such as high blood pressure and heart disease. Now, more than ever, people are looking for sleep solutions and ideas for sleep improvement.

What constitutes a good night’s sleep?

The anatomy of quality sleep differs from person to person, but there are certain contributing factors that affect everyone’s sleep. These include the comfort of the bed, the quietness of the room, the comfort and/or quality of pillows and bedding, plus room temperature. To cater to everyone’s quirks and preferences, hotels can supply pillow menus and individual temperature controls in guest rooms.

Beyond the basics, amenities such as white noise machines, earplugs, robes and slippers, black-out curtains and pillow spray can also aid in improving the quality of sleep, but are more to do with personal preference.

It’s well documented that the wellness industry is growing exponentially, so with sleep a part of the holistic wellbeing experience, sleep is a profitable business to be in. Consulting firm Frost & Sullivan estimated the so-called ‘Sleep Economy’ to be worth $432 billion in 2019, predicting a compound annual growth rate of 6.3% through to 2024.

Hospitality is taking notice. Here are four high-end hotels with specialised sleep programs that aim to tackle the global sleep epidemic in very different ways:

Amangiri, Utah, United States – An expert-led masterclass in sleep

Utah’s Amangiri runs a four-day program developed by sleep specialist Dr Micheal Breus, which educates guests on the “art of sleep.” The so-called masterclass of sleep begins with a pre-arrival assessment and one-on-one interview with Dr Breus to determine the individual’s chronotype – the natural inclination of your body to sleep at a certain time.

This consultation is followed by activities such as daily practitioner-led wake-up routines, morning yoga classes, therapeutic cold-water plunges, as well as lectures on topics such as sleep genetics, managing caffeine and alcohol intake, and creating an ideal sleep environment. Quality of sleep is monitored by an Oura Ring, which records heart rate, temperature, and other data to provide more insights into sleep behaviour.

The Hästens Sleep Spa Hotel, Coimbra, Portugal – A Collaboration Between Luxury Hospitality & Bedding Brands

Taking the prioritisation of guests’ sleep to a new level, The Hästens Sleep Spa Hotel is a 15-room collaboration between hotelier O Valor do Tempo and the Hästens, a luxury bedding brand. The first of its kind and boasting a superlative sleep experience for guests, in-room amenities include a Hästens bed and bedding (pillow menu, duvet and bed linen), which contain no synthetic materials.

Hästens’mattresses are filled with hypoallergenic horsehair, which removes excess heat and humidity produced by the body during deep sleep.The wool and cotton mix of the bedding supplies comfort, pillows and duvets are stuffed with natural goose feathers, while the linen eliminates static build-up from the body and helps to create positive energy during sleep. Hästens’ handmade wooden bed frame and the patented spring system lend themselves to strength, stability and support.

Rosewood Hong Kong – A night with the “Rolls Royce of beds”

Similarly, Rosewood Hong Kong has partnered with British luxury bedding company Vispring on its package A Good Night’s Sleep with Vispring. The sleep-focused stay in the Manor Suite includes a night in a Vispring bed with a Regal Superb mattress, dubbed the “Rolls Royce of beds.”

Other amenities provided for a peaceful slumber include a Silent Mode meditation and relaxation device, lavender and chamomile scented Votary pillow spray, a Vitruvi sleep diffuser, and Sleep Well tea. Guests also enjoy complimentary access to Asaya’s wellness classes, which can aid relaxation before sleep.

Sleep with Six Senses, global – Establishing best practice rest routines

Six Senses’ sleep programs are available at 12 Six Senses properties around the world, including Southeast Asia destinations Six Senses Krabey Island (Cambodia), Six Senses Ninh Van Bay (Vietnam), and Six Senses Yao Noi (Thailand).

Designed for those who struggle to fall asleep or sleep through the night, the objective of the program isn’t just to provide a good night’s rest during guests’ stay, but to improve sleep patterns and establish a sustainable sleep routine that will ensure good rest practices after departure. This is achieved through a complimentary two-night sleep tracker, followed by analysis of the results.

Is sleep the new luxury amenity?

We often take sleep for granted. When we’re getting enough sleep and good quality sleep, we function as normal. Yet, when we struggle from lack of sleep or poor quality sleep, everything is affected, from our mental to physical health, to our ability to conduct simple everyday tasks. Perhaps we have underestimated the power of sleep for too long.

The pandemic and modern life in general – particularly our increase in technology use and screen time – have greatly affected our sleep in recent years, and sleep solutions are desperately needed. It’s not surprising that sleep is no longer being treated as something a hotel physically provides in terms of a bed and nice bedding, but as an individualised experience for guests that aims to improve holistic wellbeing.

As long as the modern pace of life, digital touchpoints, and the stress-inducing pandemic continue, the relevance of and demand for luxury sleep services will prevail.

Described as the fastest-growing wellness trend of the times, biohacking is a huge force in wellness right now. So, what exactly is biohacking, which players in the hospitality industry are offering biohacking services and treatments, and is it a trend that is here to stay?

What is biohacking?

Biohacking is all about hacking your way to become the best version of yourself physically and mentally, even spiritually. Coined by Silicon Valley, the terminology is definitely technology-focused, comparing the body and mind to a computer that can be “hacked.”

The self-proclaimed father of biohacking, David Asprey, describes the self-improvement trend as, “a systems-thinking approach to our own biology.” Combining pioneering scientific research with ancient holistic healing traditions, Asprey regularly touts his aim to live to 180 years old. His online courses are focused around “upgrading your life” through various biohacking techniques, from nutrition to utilising anti-ageing technology.

Of course, technically we’re all biohacking all of the time. When we eat, we adjust our diets to manipulate weight. We exercise to burn fat, gain muscle, increase fitness, and train our bodies. We meditate for the mental health benefits. However, what this new realm of biohacking in the wellness sphere pertains to is accelerating that, taking self-improvement to the next level. Being the best version of yourself. It’s not enough to simply maintain health anymore; biohackers are looking to go beyond and push the boundaries of what their bodies and minds are capable of.

Technology

Naturally, due to the focus on measuring success and treating the body like a machine, technology is playing a key role in biohacking. From diagnostic equipment that establishes a baseline (3D body scans, metabolic rates, ketosis analysis…) to high-tech treatments (brain photobiomodulation, AI adaptive cardio training, cyclic variation adaptive conditioning…), technology is at the forefront.

One of the world’s most advanced biohacking facilities, the Beverly Hilton hotel in LA, is home to Upgrade Labs – developed by David Asprey himself. Dubbed “the world’s first human upgrade center,” biohacking technologies include an electro-muscular stimulation machine, a state-of-the-art stationary bike that uses adaptive intelligence to personalise workouts and a high-tech compression system that stimulates lymphatic drainage.

Extreme temperatures

One popular activity often included under the umbrella of biohacking is exposing the body to extreme heat and cold, which is said to improve both physical and mental health.

Bangkok’s RAKxa Wellness, Thailand’s newest and arguably most advanced medical wellness facility, offers such treatments. In cryotherapy, the body is exposed to freezing dry air below -100 degrees Celsius – a temperature that destroys abnormal or diseased tissue. This is followed by 30 minutes in a hyperbaric tube, where concentrated oxygen speeds up the healing process. The experience is rounded out with a session in an infrared sauna, where electromagnetic waves help to detoxify and improve blood circulation.

IV drips

If the body is a machine, there are inputs and outputs. Nutrition is something that is heavily emphasised in biohacking, but another way to provide your body with what it needs is to put it directly into the bloodstream. IV drip bars have become incredibly trendy, not just as a novelty, but as fixtures in luxury hotels.

In November 2020, Anantara Siam Hotel Bangkok opened Vivid by Verita Health, the city’s first IV drip bar in a five-star hotel. The cocktail menu of vitamins and nutrients are said to provide instant cellular rejuvenation, mental clarity, boosted immunity, anti-ageing properties, as well as increased metabolism. Blends are concocted based on common ailments, such as fatigue, jetlag, and hangovers.

Ancient practices

Merging new and old knowledge, other biohacking techniques are rooted in holistic practices and ancient traditions. Biohacker Alberto Villoldo, who created Six Senses’ Grow a New Body program, describes how shamans knew the key to longevity: “Shamans of old discovered that they could hack the biofield to live long and healthy lives, get their health span to equal their life span, and free their consciousness from their body.”

Six Senses, a brand known for its wellness expertise, has incorporated biohacking into many of its properties, emphasising aspects of the trend that reflect the locations of the retreats. Six Senses New York is more focused on biohacking technology, whereas Six Senses’ Bhutan locales have a more spiritual approach, and India’s Six Senses Fort Barwara makes use of Ayurvedic healing.

Improving chronic conditions

Biohacking is not just for the healthy looking to improve longevity. It’s also a useful tool for those who suffer from chronic diseases and health conditions, such as diabetes. Vivamayr clinic in Maria Wörth, Austria is one such medical wellness facility that boasts an extensive biohacking menu, including a specialised Vivamayr Diabetes Program, aimed at those with prediabetes and type 2 and 1 diabetes.

The program entails base medical services, from functional myodiagnostics to nutritional counselling, which informs tailored treatments, such as EMS (electrical muscle stimulation), cryotherapy, aquabiking, and IHHT hypoxy training, to name but a few options. These treatments improve metabolism, helping to prevent, overcome, or alleviate symptoms of diabetes.

Biohacking as an ongoing trend

Biohacking was already climbing in popularity pre-pandemic, but the last couple of years have definitely added to its appeal. Covid-19 blurred the lines between hospitality and hospitals, holistic wellbeing and medical wellness, and all the time spent in isolation wreaked havoc on physical and mental health.

Borrowing from the digital vocabulary of the trend, perhaps hacking is what’s needed as a remedy for this virus. Definitely for the foreseeable future, biohacking looks to be the solution that people are looking for to improve their health and quality of life.

Are you one of the many people who welcomed new pets during 2020? You’re not alone.

The UK reported in March that 3.2 million households (11% of British households) have brought in a new pet since the start of the pandemic, with around 74% of new owners saying their pets had helped their mental health during such a trying time. According to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) around 20% of American households acquired a new pet since the pandemic began. In Japan, births in the country are the lowest they’d been since 1950, but pet ownership has risen exponentially, leading some to suggest that the country is replacing children with pets!

What does all this mean for hospitality? With the increase in pet ownership, as well as the increase in staycations and domestic travel, more and more hotels are offering pet-friendly stays and services to entice guests.

If people don’t feel they can travel as easily with a pet, they are less likely to do so; but with the offer of a pet-friendly hotel stay, the opportunity is there for both the customer and the hotel. People are also travelling differently now: taking longer vacations because of travel restrictions, working from hotels or having a staycation, and prioritising domestic travel over holidays abroad. All of this points to the need for accommodating animal guests.

Of course, there are pros and cons to this new arrangement. Guests who don’t like animals or have allergies may be put off, extra cleaning will be required, and there are risks of disruption if the pet is large, loud, or aggressive. On the other hand, there are reports that animals can actually entice customers, enhancing brand perception, while some animals, such as dogs, also benefit from being socialised.

New pet-friendly hotels around the world

Hilton’s long stay accommodations recently announced they are becoming 100% pet friendly: “New data from a KRC Research survey shows that 85% of pet owners plan to travel within the next year. Among those same pet owners, 65% plan to bring their pets along on their trips.” Changes to Hilton’s long-stay accommodations include new pet-friendly amenities, allowing pets in guest rooms as well as public areas, plus consolidating pet fees to USD50 per stay across the entire North American portfolio (previously, pet fees varied by hotel).

In India, holidaying with pets is also becoming popular. Luxury holiday home chain Vista Rooms states the second most searched term on the website is “pet-friendly” (the first is “swimming pool”), while the South Asia regional manager of Booking.com announced the website has introduced a pet-friendly filter to help meet demand for those searching for pet-friendly hotels.

Here in Thailand, the Kimpton Maa-Lai, Bangkok, which opened its doors in October 2020, doesn’t just stop at traditional pets. “‘We get it all, and not just dogs and cats,’ said the hotel’s general manager Patrick Both, as the lobby filled with a menagerie of furry guests. ‘Also ferrets, birds, rabbits … and one very expensive chicken,’ he added with a chuckle. ‘Our policy is, if it can fit in an elevator, it’s allowed.’” Having quickly established a reputation as Bangkok’s most pet-friendly hotel, The Kimpton Maa-Lai recently launched a pet-themed ice cream selection at the hotel’s cafe, CRAFT. The ice creams, shaped like dogs and cats, are strictly for human consumption, though there is a separate sweets menu for four-legged customers.

Elsewhere in Thailand, Marriott is rolling out a new P.A.W. (Pets Are Welcome) philosophy at selected Marriott hotels and resorts for Marriott Bonvoy members. Perks for pets include complimentary food bowls and pet beds, welcome packs with toys and treats, Sunday meetups with other pets in outdoor spaces, as well as pet strollers and pet-sitting services (for an additional charge). Pet fees are being waived until 2022.

Existing pet-friendly hotels

Of course, many hotels were welcoming to animals before the pandemic pet boom, even in the luxury sector. Rosewood Hong Kong’s Four Legged Friends package includes sumptuous pet beds, toys, a curated gourmet pet menu, owner-and-pet yoga, a photo session, and a guide to local dog-friendly restaurants, bars and parks – plus, the hotel donates USD500 to SPCA Hong Kong for every Four Legged Friends booking.

Japan is well known as a destination where furry friends are treated like true royalty. For example, Japan’s Hyatt Regency Hakone Resort & Spa welcomes three pets up to 10 kilograms each, or one pet up to 30 kilograms, all for no additional fee. Some rooms come with dog showers, dryer and a pet enclosure on the balcony, while pet sitting and grooming services are available. The Hyatt brand is known for its love of pets, and many of its hotels around the world feature resident dogs and cats.

Similarly, Korea’s pet-friendly hotels also go above and beyond. Vivaldi Park in Hongcheon County has a separate building for guests staying with pets, with modified details such as non-slip flooring for scampering around, low beds for jumping on, playgrounds for pets, veterinary clinics, and pet salons. The hotel reports that they are consistently 90% full on weekends.

Are four-legged guests here to stay?

For hotels, it makes sense to pivot to accommodate pets where possible to attract more customers, especially as many potential guests are new pet owners. There’s also evidence that people are spending more on their pets than ever before, so the hospitality sector can capitalise on this trend by not only accommodating pets out of tolerance, but by appealing specifically to pet owners and offering pet packages like those listed above, including treats, activities, and other amenities.

As the lines are becoming more and more blurred between work, home and travel – from staycations to working from hotels – hotels must adapt to this new hybrid lifestyle.

Think of the word “wellness” and you’ll likely think of a spa retreat; ethereal chanting on repeat, the sweet scent of jasmine, and frangipani blossoms floating in a copper bowl. However, the definition of wellness is changing, expanding to become more holistic, as well as more medical, and this includes the incorporation of mental health.

The pandemic with all its social isolation and stress has forced people to reckon with physical health, mental health and general wellbeing as a whole. Relief and recovery from mental turmoil is what guests are now looking for at a spa or retreat, in both holistic or clinical therapies. Here are a few trends when it comes to the growing prevalence of mental wellness in hospitality:

Holistic mental wellbeing

Western culture is looking to the East when it comes to “alternative” holistic mental wellbeing and mindfulness.

In Japan, shinrin-yoku (forest bathing) takes center stage at wellness-focused resorts such as Amanemu. Shinrin-yoku was developed in Japan in the 1980s and is now widely lauded throughout the rest of the world as a powerful retreat experience that involves immersion in nature. Health benefits of shinrin-yoku include reduced blood pressure, lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels, and improvements in concentration and memory. What’s more, trees release chemicals called phytoncides, which have an antimicrobial effect on human bodies and boost the immune system

Sound healing is another holistic wellness treatment du jour, with many practitioners citing Tibetan singing bowls as a reference, while others incorporate crystals. California-based sound healer Roxie Sarhangi plays seven crystal bowls tuned to the notes of the body’s seven chakras/energy centers. She has collaborated on projects with 1 Hotel West Hollywood and Kimpton La Peer, completed an artist residency at the Culver Hotel, and played for staff at The Proper Hotel in Santa Monica. Benefits of sound healing include stress reduction, pain management, sleep improvement, lowered blood pressure and cholesterol levels, and lowered risk for coronary artery disease and stroke.

(Another timely benefit of these two mental wellbeing treatments? Prime social distancing opportunities.)

Medical mental wellbeing

The line between hotel and hospital has been blurred during the pandemic, with the introduction of hospitels and hotels used as quarantine facilities. Just as physical treatments at spas and hotels have become more clinical, treatments focused on mental wellness have now developed to incorporate mental health practices and psychology.

Hyatt has partnered with meditation and mindfulness app Headspace. Headspace’s content is available to World of Hyatt members via the World of Hyatt app, as well as in-room at 15 Hyatt hotels across the Americas. Benefits of meditation include stress reduction, anxiety control, emotional balance, lengthened attention span, and improved memory.

At Manhattan’s Four Seasons, resident healer and clinical hypnotherapist Nicole Hernandez offers in-person services such as hypnosis therapies, somatic healing, and coaching. Hypnosis therapy can help combat sleep disorders, calm anxiety, manage chronic pain, and fight addiction. Somatic healing regulates bodily reactions, thereby reducing stress, discomfort and physical tensions.

Here in Asia, “emotional balance” treatments at Rosewood’s Asaya Hong Kong include psychological therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and expressive arts therapy. CBT is widely used as a treatment for anxiety and depression; a talking therapy that acknowledges how thoughts and behaviour are connected, and works on breaking negative patterns in both. Art therapy is about creative expression through visual art media; tapping into deep thoughts and feelings, often trauma, in order to focus on healing.

A practice bridging the gap between medical and holistic wellness when it comes to mental health is breath hacking. “Take a deep breath,” is a phrase we’re all familiar with; usually uttered when we need to calm down. Breathing exercises for mind and body are scientifically proven to rebalance the automatic nervous system; decrease heart rate and blood pressure, while also reducing activity in the amygdala, the fear center of the brain.

Breath hacking is not new – think of breathing practices such as Pranayama – but it’s certainly having a moment in the wellness sphere. Bali’s YogiLab runs a course on Dopamine Activation Breathing, which follows the Marcel Hof Method of breath techniques. The five-day course is said to improve general wellbeing, release trauma, relieve stress, and also combat anxiety and depression. It’s recommended to be followed by the Deep Immersion Cold Exposure course, which uses direct exposure to extreme cold to improve physical and mental health.

Internal mental wellbeing

This new prioritisation of mental wellbeing doesn’t just apply to guests. Addressing the mental health of staff has never been so important, especially in the hospitality industry where jobs have been lost, wages cut, and a return to work means potential exposure to the virus.

According to the UK’s governmental Health and Safety Executive (HSE), “stress, depression, or anxiety accounted for 51% of all work-related ill health cases and 55% of all working days lost due to ill health (2019/20)… 84% of those working in hospitality attributed feeling increased stress as a direct result of their job.”

As travel starts to resume and the hospitality industry begins to bounce back, staff need to be on top form to provide exceptional service and boost consumer confidence. Yet, now more than ever, they may lack the motivation to do so, or may even be struggling with mental health issues as a result of what has happened the past 18 months.

“Businesses realise they need to take a more proactive approach to supporting their people through this time, so that they are able to deliver the service, quality and reassurance that guests want and expect.” says Sean Wheeler BEM, a People & Culture Consultant in the hospitality industry.

Mental wellness in hospitality post-Covid

Will this trend for mental wellness prevail in the hospitality industry beyond Covid-19? Many mental wellness professionals believe it will.

“I believe the trend will continue even as the pandemic and the impact of it resolves,” says Dr. Megan Lewis in a recent interview with Mansion’s Global. Dr. Lewis is the VeraVia Director of Behavioral Health at the Park Hyatt Aviara and the adjoining residences in Carlsbad, California. “It is more accepted now than ever before in history for people to admit or share the fact that they receive mental healthcare.”

It’s true that establishments where guests stay overnight and engage in mental health treatments may historically have been considered rehabilitation centers, or even asylums. Now, these treatments are offered as luxury hospitality services.

With the stigma around mental health lessening over time and the pandemic’s spotlight cast on mental wellbeing, there has been a shift in attitude towards mental wellness – from taboo illness to understanding and empathy. We’ve come to realise that, like physical health, our mental health ebbs and flows, taking on and fighting illness and injury, just as our bodies do.

Hospitality serves to provide relaxation and escape; rejuvenating the body and mind so that guests may return home feeling refreshed and invigorated. In the current climate, providing tools such as mental health treatments, therapies, and self-care practices doesn’t seem too far a stretch from the core values of the industry.